BRIGHT skies and bright smiles were out in force today as 1,200 runners got under starters orders at Bradford's Race For Life.

Bradford Grammar School pupil Grace Dawson, 12, crossed the finishing line first in 19 minutes and 32 seconds and her running club teacher Sarah Flaherty, who was also celebrating her 42nd birthday, was hot on her heels just ten seconds behind.

Manningham's Lister Park was a sea of pink as women of all ages walked, ran and jogged - even rollerskated their 5km mission to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Everyone taking part was a winner said organisers who are hoping the event will raise £80,000.

A flurry of hot pink streamers, smoke and bubbles got the race off to a start to massive applause from crowds of onlookers and wellwishers cheering participants on.

Megan Carr, 16, from Thornton, who is having treatment for Hodgkins Lymphoma, was invited to start the race off and appeared on stage with her mother, Karen.

"I was a bit nervous but it was great to see everyone taking part and was good that I could tell them a bit about my story. I have really enjoyed being involved," she said.

Among those taking part were Cottingley woman Jan Bryer, 49, remembering her mum and dad June and dad David Bryer who both passed away from cancer. Three generations of her family were joining her on the route round.

Also there was Diane Smith, 56, of Westford Park, Bradford who underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction in 2004. She was running the course for herself and for three friends who have been through cancer.

"I feel great that's why I'm doing this," said Ms Smith who also gives time as a volunteer to talk to other breast cancer patients having treatment at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

Sue Long from Idle was running as part of Tony's Belles, a family group of women all running for her dad Tony Johnson, who was also from Idle, and died last September aged 77 from prostrate cancer.

"Just being here in this amazing atmosphere being with all these wonderful people thinking of people special to them is an unforgettable experience," she said.

Jane Haley, 47, from Wibsey was also there despite being on crutches and struggling with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is a degenerative connective tissue disease. She took part in her first Race For Life four years ago for her dad Keith Hayley who died from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.

"I always come last and say each year I won't do it another time because it takes me days to recover and am so poorly but I'm always back for more. I come back for Dad."

Grace Dawson, 12, a student at Bradford Grammar School said: "It was a bit tougher than I expected but I just kept going. I'm really pleased to have come first and pleased with the time and that I managed under 20 minutes. I did the race two years ago when I was 10 and came second."

Nicki Embleton, regional media relations manage for Cancer Research UK said: "We have had a brilliant atmosphere with 1,200 ladies taking part and their families on the sidelines cheering them on. The weather has been great, young cancer sufferer Megan Carr has been on stage to tell her story and encourage everyone and the Gulab Gang ladies have been absolutely terrific. They've shown such enthusiasm and really caught the attention of everyone. Hopefully they will encourage more Asian ladies to take part next year or at other events this year. They are helping to get the message across that cancer can affect everyone across all races."